May is Asthma Awareness Month, as designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and with this comes a renewed focus on asthma and how it impacts not only individuals but the larger community as a whole. In addition to this, each year a few non-profit/advocacy organizations piggyback off this and have designated May Allergy & Asthma Awareness Month. During this month there are a variety of events scheduled to help promote awareness as well as action on these two respiratory problems.

_The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is planning several events to help to raise awareness across multiple age groups. Some of these include kits to help people set up and organize their own events, free webinars, a poster contest for 3rd-8th graders, a sweepstakes and their Ditch the Drip event in Memphis, May 16-18th. For more information on these events, visit the AAFA.

Our the partner, AANMA, is spending the day at on Capitol Hill. There they will focus on a multiple of things including changes in healthcare law, meeting with lawmakers, and providing a variety of free booths that offer anaphylaxis preparedness demonstrations, asthma and allergy screenings as well as consultations with allergists. All of these events are geared towards raising awareness of allergies and asthma while interacting with legislators. To learn more about Capitol Hill Day or for more info on the AANMA.

_Lastly, there is the EPA. While this large governmental agency doesn't do much in terms of directly sponsored or coordinated events, they do much in the way of providing educational materials and the tools needed for advocacy groups or just individuals to help spread awareness. This PDF is chock-full of ways that people can help to raise public awareness of asthma and its impact in the community. Some way wonder why the EPA would promote Asthma Awareness Month, but the reason is actually pretty simple. The link between the environment, particularly air quality, and asthma is clear. From ground level ozone, to studies that focus on asthma rates in urban areas (often choked with vehicle emissions), many of the things the EPA does on a day to day basis can have a direct impact on asthma in the United States.

_For our part here at AchooAllergy, we know that allergy season is in full swing, so we are offering a 10% discount on asthma and allergy relief products. From window filters, allergy bedding and air purifiers to HEPA vacuum cleaners and nebulizers, save an extra 10% of your purchase of most products. Happy May!

_Author: K. Gilmore